My Story: The Winchester House [Completed]

29: Family Fight

"Luke, please don't do that. Just eat your meal," I told my son as he played with his food. He looked at me and nodded as he took a civilised bite of food. "Thank you," I told him as he chewed.

"Mother, do you miss Father when he goes away?" Syren asked and I looked at her.

"Of course, I do, darling. I love him," I told her. She nodded as she thought about it.

"I miss him too," she told me and I smiled as she continued eating.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I looked towards the door. No one would be knocking at this hour. Street rats couldn't get on the property either so they couldn't knock on our door. I stood and Luke jumped up. I pointed to the chair and he sat back down.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I walked to the door and took the chain off the door. I took a deep breath and opened the door to find a well dressed man at the door step.

"May I help you?" I asked him and he took his cigarette out of his mouth. I waited as I watched him blow out the smoke.

"I'm looking for Mrs. Samantha Jameson," he said and I held onto the door.

"That is I. How can I help you?" I asked, fearing something had happened to Max.

"May I come it? It's about your husband," he said and I let the man in.

"Mother?" Syren asked as Luke and her appeared in the doorway between the living room and dining hall. I looked at the children.

"Don't fret. This nice man is going to tell me something then we will continue dinner," I told the children. The children watched the man walk up behind me and I looked at him.

"I take it your husband is out of the house at the moment," the man said.

"And if he is?" I asked.

"All the better. I think if he saw me, he would have kicked me out by now," he said.

"Children, go upstairs and stay in your rooms until I come for you," I ordered the children and they ran up the stairs. "Who are you?" I asked.

"Mr. Harry Jameson," he said and I stepped back.

"You're Max's father," I stated and he nodded. "You can't be here. Max will be angry with me if he hears that you were even in our house."

"Please, you must understand that I need to talk to him. If you let me stay, just to talk to him, I swear to you that everything will be solved tonight," he said and I nodded as I stepped away from him.

~*~

"When will that man leave?" Luke asked as I tucked him in. Syren was already asleep but Luke was more curious about the man that was their grandfather. Granted, I hadn't told them that part.

"He just needs to talk to your father then he will leave," I told Luke and he nodded.

"Can I stay up with you until Father comes home and then I promise I'll go to bed?" he asked and I shook my head.

"You have a game tomorrow. Also, who will help me clean the bedrooms tomorrow if you are sleepy?" I asked as I tickled his stomach. His laughter filled my ears until I stopped.

"Good night, Mommy," he said as he got comfortable. I kissed his forehead.

"Good night, baby boy," I said as I stood up. I shut his door and headed back down stairs.

"How long have you been my daughter-in-law?" he asked and I swallowed my pride.

"We got married eight years ago," I informed him, "Something you would have known if you didn't leave Max at such a young age."

"You will understand why I had to leave him before I leave tonight," he told me and I nodded.

"I am not judging you but you should have came at a decent hour," I said as I walked to the kitchen to clean up the dinner mess. Apparently, he followed.

"I apologise, Samantha. I didn't mean to inconvenience you," he told me and I nodded. I put the water on and I heard the front door open and close. I shut the water off as I heard someone in the living room.

"Max?" I asked as I walked into the living room.

"I told you not to stay up. What's the mat-?" Max started until Harry walked into the living room.

"I didn't know who he was," I told him as he walked passed me.

"Get out of my house. How did you even get in the property?" he asked. Harry nodded as he stepped forward.

"Listen to me for a moment. I can explain everything," Harry said.

"Samantha, I would rather you wait upstairs," Max said and I started to go to the stairs.

"She makes you softer," Harry said and I looked at Max.

"You talked to my children! You met my wife before talking to me! I don't want my wife to see me yelling at you to get out of my house!" Max yelled.

"At least they listened to me!" Harry screamed back. Luke and Syren appeared at the top of the stairs as Max and his father continued their screaming match.

"Go back to your rooms," I ordered the children. Syren ran off but Luke hugged my waist.

"Mommy," Luke sobbed into my skirts. I knelt down to hold him as Max and Harry continued.

"I don't care what you have to say! Get out!" Max yelled. Luke sobbed harder and I stood up straight.

"Enough! Harry, get out of our home and Max, you are scaring the children," I yelled over the men before picking up my eldest. Harry stormed out and Max stood still in the middle of the room.

"Sam," Max started but I turned away and walked to Luke's room. I sat on the bed as I rocked Luke.

I wanted Max to calm down before I talked to him.